Sharp Line Detector

Monitor line movements at sharp sportsbooks (Pinnacle, Circa, Bookmaker). Detect steam moves, reverse line movement, and significant implied probability shif...

Security Scan

The skill's instructions match its stated purpose (query The Odds API and save snapshots) but there are small inconsistencies you should be aware of before installing (missing registry env declaration and an unused binary requirement).

Purpose & Capability

The skill claims to monitor sharp sportsbook lines and its instructions call The Odds API and parse/save odds — this is coherent. However, the registry metadata lists no required environment variables while SKILL.md documents a credential (ODDS_API_KEY) and a credentials block, which is inconsistent. Also python3 is listed as a required binary but the provided snippet only uses curl and jq.

Instruction Scope

SKILL.md is instruction-only and the runtime steps are limited: perform a curl to api.the-odds-api.com with an API key, jq-process the JSON, and write timestamped snapshots to a configurable local directory (default /tmp/openclaw-sharp-snapshots). The instructions do not request unrelated files, system credentials, or network endpoints beyond The Odds API and linked documentation.

Install Mechanism

There is no install spec (instruction-only), so nothing is downloaded or written by an installer. This minimizes supply-chain risk.

Credentials

The skill reasonably needs an Odds API key (ODDS_API_KEY) to function; that credential is declared inside SKILL.md. But the registry metadata omitted required env vars, creating a mismatch the publisher should resolve. No other credentials or broad secrets are requested.

Persistence & Privilege

The skill does not request elevated presence (always: false) and only writes snapshot JSON files to a configurable directory. Autonomous model invocation is allowed (platform default) but not by itself a red flag here.

Assessment

This skill appears to do what it claims: call The Odds API, parse odds, and save snapshots. Before installing: 1) Confirm you will provide an ODDS_API_KEY (the SKILL.md expects this) and that the registry metadata is updated to reflect that requirement. 2) Consider setting SHARP_SNAPSHOT_DIR to a location you control (not world-writable) if you care about where files land. 3) The SKILL.md lists python3 as required but the sample uses only curl and jq—ask the publisher why python3 is required. 4) Verify you trust the skill owner (no homepage/source is included in the registry metadata). 5) Limit the API key scope/permissions where possible and rotate the key if you later remove the skill.

Monitor line movements at sharp sportsbooks. Detect steam moves, reverse line movement, and smart money signals.

When to Use

Use this skill when the user asks about:

• Line movement on a game or sport
• Steam moves or sharp action
• Reverse line movement (RLM) signals
• Whether smart money has moved a line
• Pinnacle, Circa, or Bookmaker line changes
• Significant odds shifts since open

Sharp Book Keys

The skill prioritizes lines from these market-making books (in order of sharpness):

Book	The Odds API Key	Why It Matters
Pinnacle	pinnacle	Lowest vig, sharpest global market
Circa	circasports	Sharpest US book, accepts large limits
Bookmaker	bookmaker	Long-standing sharp-friendly book
BetOnline	betonlineag	Accepts sharp action, moves early
DraftKings	draftkings	High volume, useful as public benchmark
FanDuel	fanduel	High volume, useful as public benchmark

If Pinnacle odds are not available in the API response, fall back to Circa, then Bookmaker.

Configuration

Environment variables for tuning thresholds (all optional):

• SHARP_SPREAD_THRESHOLD — Minimum spread movement in points to flag (default: 1.5)
• SHARP_ML_THRESHOLD — Minimum moneyline implied probability shift to flag (default: 0.05 = 5%)
• SHARP_SNAPSHOT_DIR — Directory for snapshot files (default: /tmp/openclaw-sharp-snapshots)

Operations

1. Snapshot Current Lines

Capture a timestamped snapshot of current odds from all books for a sport. Stores as JSON for later comparison.

SPORT_KEY="${SPORT_KEY:-basketball_nba}"
SNAP_DIR="${SHARP_SNAPSHOT_DIR:-/tmp/openclaw-sharp-snapshots}"
mkdir -p "$SNAP_DIR"
TIMESTAMP=$(date +%Y%m%d_%H%M%S)

curl -s "https://api.the-odds-api.com/v4/sports/$SPORT_KEY/odds?apiKey=$ODDS_API_KEY&regions=us,eu&markets=h2h,spreads&oddsFormat=american&bookmakers=pinnacle,circasports,bookmaker,betonlineag,draftkings,fanduel" \
  | jq --arg ts "$TIMESTAMP" '{
    timestamp: $ts,
    sport: "'$SPORT_KEY'",
    games: [.[] | {
      id: .id,
      game: "\(.away_team) @ \(.home_team)",
      away: .away_team,
      home: .home_team,
      start: .commence_time,
      books: [.bookmakers[] | {
        key: .key,
        name: .title,
        h2h: [(.markets[] | select(.key=="h2h")).outcomes[] | {team: .name, odds: .price}],
        spread: [(.markets[] | select(.key=="spreads")).outcomes[] | {team: .name, point: .point, odds: .price}]
      }]
    }]
  }' > "$SNAP_DIR/${SPORT_KEY}_${TIMESTAMP}.json"

echo "Snapshot saved: ${SPORT_KEY}_${TIMESTAMP}.json ($(jq '.games | length' "$SNAP_DIR/${SPORT_KEY}_${TIMESTAMP}.json") games)"

## About

Built by [AgentBets](https://agentbets.ai) — full tutorial at [agentbets.ai/guides/openclaw-sharp-line-detector-skill/](https://agentbets.ai/guides/openclaw-sharp-line-detector-skill/).

Part of the [OpenClaw Skills series](https://agentbets.ai/guides/#openclaw-skills) for the [Agent Betting Stack](https://agentbets.ai/guides/agent-betting-stack/).